Penn State Media Day: What They Said and What has Happened Part 3 – Defense

View coverage of Media Day filmed by Emmet Mahon.

When a program is traditionally known as Linebacker U, tough defense is to be expected. In 2023, the tradition continued at Penn State. Even in losses to Michigan and Ohio State, the defense kept the team’s struggling offense within striking distance late into the fourth quarter. It was a defense that saw four starters move on to the NFL. Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz was lured to Durham, NC to become the head coach at Duke. Even with these departures, the Nittany Lions were expected to have enough remaining in the cupboard to remain a team strength.

James Franklin addressed his most pressing need for the defense early in the offseason. He hired former Indian Head Coach Tom Allen to replace Diaz. Allen’s team were often an underdog in Big Ten play but frequently frustrated opponents with his unique defensive schemes that forced teams into negative plays and turnovers. The Hoosiers were a tough opponent because Allen’s defense kept offenses from successfully running their gameplans.

Franklin and Allen knew the departure of star defensive end Chop Robinson to the Miami Dolphins would be a blow to the defense, but the impact would be minimized because there would talented players ready to step in and continue to harass quarterbacks. Dani Dennis-Sutton was a highly recruited lineman out of Maryland. In his two seasons in Happy Valley, he lived up to the hype. He was more than capable of being the same disruptive force that allowed Robinson to be a first round NFL pick. The middle of the defensive line would remain a rotation between returning regulars Zane Durant, Dvon J-Thomas, and Coziah Izzard. Alonzo Ford, Jr transferred from Old Dominion to provide depth. The defensive end spot opposite Dennis-Sutton was the one position that needed to be upgraded. The staff surprised observers early in 2024 when it was announced All-Conference and projected first round pick Abdul Carter was switching from linebacker to defensive end. With that announcement, the trenches were secured.

The linebackers at Linebacker U were also a relatively stable group. The coaches expected Kobe King and Dominic DeLuca would repeat their steady play and with more experience, it was hoped they would take their talents to another level. They would be joined by sophomore Tony Rojas, who had identified as the next great linebacker for Penn State. Nothing in his true freshman year indicated that assessment to be false. They would be backed up by a pair of athletic redshirt freshman, Ta’Mere Robinson and DeKaari Nelson. Senior Tyler Elsdon would be counted on for his leadership and depth. Once again, Franklin and Allen had little to worry about from the middle unit.

Defensive backfield is where any worries might have existed. Gone from the program were senior cornerbacks Kalen King, Johnny Dixon, and Daequan Hardy. If there was a saving grace it was in the form of returning safeties KJ Winston and Jaylen Reed. Redshirt junior Zakee Wheatley and Mississippi State transfer Audavion Collins would see plenty of snaps in Allen’s three safety set. To immediately plug the holes at cornerback, Franklin, Allen, and long-time Defensive Backs Coach Terry Smith hit the transfer portal. They were able to lure a couple of SEC cornerbacks to State College in Jalen Kimber from Florida and AJ Harris from Georgia. They would join junior Cam Miller, a player Smith called the “undisputed leader” of the defensive backfield, to protect the flanks of the Penn State pass defense. 

The first three games on the Penn State’s schedule should have provided opportunities for Allen and his charges to establish themselves a force. Facing veteran quarterbacks Garrett Greene from West Virginia and Connor Bazelak from Bowling Green, via Indiana, playing behind veteran laden offensive lines, did not make the task easy. Bowling Green in particular acquitted themselves well against Allen’s 4-2-5 base defense. To Allen’s credit, he did not allow the unexpected success of the Falcons to cause him to deviate from his play calling. Instead, Allen let the Nittany Lions play through their growing pains. At media day, Allen and the defensive players expressed their belief that his system was not significantly different form the departed Diaz, but it would take some getting used to the terminology. The West Virginia and Bowling Green games confirmed that sentiment.

Carter’s transition to defensive end has been positive for the most part. In his three starts, Carter has eight solo tackles and assisted on four others. His two and a half tackles for loss include a sack. Carter has successfully defended one pass. His play is noticeable both live and on tape and his draft stock remains strong. He has struggled somewhat with his anticipation of snap counts and positioning that has led to multiple offsides penalties.

Kimber and Harris have meshed well with their new teammates. They have quickly become a cohesive unit that has allowed 144.3 yards per game passing despite second half leads in every game. Teams have been held to 5.28 yards per attempt and scored only two touchdowns. The lone disappointing development was an injury to Winston, a potential first round pick, who is expected to be out several weeks. Even that bad news brings a measure of optimism. True freshman Dejuan Lane will not redshirt and will be part of the safety rotation with fellow freshman Vaboue Toure.

The linebackers have done nothing to tarnish the Linebacker U reputation. They have been solid in both pass and run efforts. Rojas has an interception to his name. King has settled in as the defensive signal caller, employing the new helmet speaker allowed to receive defensive signals.

It was that new rule change that Allen was asked about at media day. He acknowledged it would be an unknown factor until its effectiveness was observed live on game days. The defense has allowed unexpected big plays early in the season. That is surprising considering the quality of the first three opponents and their run heavy approach. Speculation has been reported that there have

been issues with the new communication method. Beginning with the home game against Illinois, Defensive Analyst Dan Connor will relay Allen’s play calls to the player with the green dot on his helmet. The green dot player has the speaker installed and relays the call. It is anticipated that Collins will be “easier to understand.”

Franklin, his coordinators, and Penn State Athletic Director, Dr. Pat Kraft, have all established a berth in the College Football Playoffs as a priority goal this season. If that goal is to be achieved, the defense will be a key component in reaching that goal. The Penn State defense is designed to smother opposing offenses, and if it lives up to its potential, will produce numerous NFL draft picks.